Learning how to learn

Musicians know how to learn.

In fact, this is a gift we musicians have given to ourselves. We have “learned how to learn.”

We can sit down with an unfamiliar piece of music and come up with a method of learning it. A flexible method, which can vary from musician-to-musician, song-to-song, and day-to-day. We can even learn entirely new musical styles and genres.

Amazing!!! (And not to be taken for granted.)

Knowing “how to learn” can help us in just about anything we set out to do. For instance, I personally want to lose a little weight. Over the last 2 years I’ve gradually gained about 10 unwanted pounds, and I even know exactly when it started: on Thanksgiving Day in 2017. I ate a little too much turkey and ice cream and got into the habit. So the weight started to creep up on me over time.

As a pianist, I know that the key to accomplishing something is to change habits at the same time as I look at the actual situation. Do I want to learn bebop? If so, then the first step is to simply listen to a lot of bebop to get the sound in my ears. If I start with transcriptions or exercises, I’ll probably burn out and fail. Or, my playing will sound mechanical and stiff. But if I start with a month of solid listening, I’ll become excited about learning the style and already have the sound in my ears so the exercises will flow better and come more naturally. Then I can work on playing bebop tunes.

I’m taking a similar approach to losing a little weight (and I’ve already spoken to my doctor about this). I began by simply taking a 30 minute walk on most days, to accustom my body to moving. At the same time, I started eating more fruits and vegetables, but without trying to eat less. Again, it’s about changing habits before attempting big change.

Next, I realized that if I simply consumed 100-200 less calories per day and exercised a bit more, the scales would tip and I’d begin losing weight. (Just like it does when we practice for 10 minutes more per day. That’s all it takes to begin tipping the scales in our favor!)

My personal goal is to lose 15 pounds in 15 weeks. I’ve put a chart up on the fridge and each Sunday morning I weigh myself and write it down. So far I’ve lost 3 lbs in 3 weeks so I’m right on schedule.

(This is just an example from my life, and please check with your doctor before doing anything with exercise or diet.)

But you see the point. Whether it’s building a treehouse, repairing a bicycle, or taking on a new project at work, the practicing skills we’ve learned as musicians can show us the way to accomplishing our goals.

Learning music teaches us how to learn. Be patient, persistent, and smart in how you learn. Begin by preparing the way, think it through ahead of time, gradually change habits, and have a plan that’s step-by-step yet flexible.

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If you want to sit down at your piano and play with more fluency and a greater sense of joy, click HERE to get started with my video course along with my personal guidance. Please email me at rondrotos@keyboardimprov.com if you're interested in Skype lessons.

I’m so happy I found Ron’s lessons online. His demeanor, impressive background, and ability to convey the material in such an easy to assimilate manner is exactly what I was hoping to find in an instructor. My playing is improving by leaps and bounds!" Lisa Irion

Testimonials

What I think is best about Ron Drotos and Keyboard Improv.com is that the lessons
are always kept fun. The best way of learning is to always have fun and Ron always
enforces the importance of that. The lessons are meant to be done slowly so as to
ensure getting the full benefit of what Ron has to offer and he is always open for
any questions one may have, to help better understand concepts. It takes a person
who is passionate about music to be able to have the passion and desire to teach
o…

I have watched Ron Drotos ‘in action’ for over 20 years, coaching and teaching countless musicians. He will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to express yourself through improvisation at the piano and keyboard.

Hi! I'm Ron Drotos and I'm passionate about teaching all forms of piano improv including jazz, rock, blues, pop, & even classical improvisation. My own journey has taken me to Carnegie Hall, Broadway shows including Smokey Joe's Cafe and Swinging On A Star, and NYC's Blue Note jazz club, and now I'm sharing this experience with piano students worldwide. I'll show you how to play with a new sense of joy and fluency!

After performing at Carnegie Hall, for Broadway shows, and at NYC's Blue Note jazz club, I'm now dedicating myself to teaching piano students all over the world how to improvise with a new sense of joy and fluency. Click HERE to begin my well-sequenced, step-by-step video course, or email me at rondrotos@keyboardimprov.com for Skype piano lessons.